Caroline Hepker

US Vice President J.D.

Vance told Fox News that force was still an option.

Vance and other US officials have talked up the prospect of strikes on Iran as the US has moved weapons and troops to the region.

Oil prices fell on the signs of progress, but Brent crude is up almost 12% this year, largely because of the US-Iranian tensions, the possibility of war in the oil-rich region.

The ECB says Christine Lagarde hasn't made a decision about leaving her job as president early.

That follows a report from the Financial Times, citing one person familiar with Lagarde's thinking, saying that she wants to step down before France's presidential election in April 2027.

The statement, though, from the ECB says that the central bank chief is, quote, totally focused on her mission.

There had been speculation that Lagarde may want to exit before the end of her eight year term in October 2027.

Here's what Lagarde told Bloomberg TV in November.

The ECB president there speaking to Bloomberg's leaders with Lacroix last year.

Earlier this week, we reported that European governments may choose to fast-track finding a successor for Lagarde in order to avoid having to deal with a possible far-right French president after next year's elections.

Britain's Reform UK says that it plans to overhaul the Bank of England and the government's budget watchdog if it wins the next general election.

In a speech later today, newly appointed Treasury spokesman Robert Jenrig is expected to say that the Office for Budget Responsibility needs more diversity of opinion when making economic forecasts.

The Bank of England is also criticised for having green targets in addition to its focus on inflation.

Here is Reform's business spokesman Richard Tice.

Reforms Richard Tice there.

In an interview with Bloomberg in January, reforms leader Nigel Farage had vowed to, quote, challenge every single tenet of UK economic policy.

That's news when you want it with Bloomberg News Now.

I'm Caroline Hepker.

And I'm Caroline Hepker.